Shochu is Japan’s other indigenous alcoholic beverage, but unlike Sake, shochu is distilled while Sake is brewed (not distilled) rice wine. Like almost all such beverages throughout the world, shochu developed as it did as an expression of region, especially climate, cuisine and available raw materials. Perhaps the factor most affecting the development of shochu is the weather. The island of Kyusyu and the western part of the island of Honshu are significantly warmer than the rest of Japan. Shochu can be made from rice, although it is more commonly made from barley, potato and sugarcane. There is even one island where shochu is made from brown sugar. It can also be made from more obscure things like chestnuts and other grains. Most shochu is around 25% alcohol, although some varieties (particularly Okinawa Awamori ) can go as high as 43%. Shochu is often enjoyed mixed with various ingredients (citrus juice, tea, water, hot water, soda , though to enjoy the real flavor of shochu is of course “on the rocks”